JP3979336B2

JP3979336B2 - Liquid conducting material, method for manufacturing the same, and liquid ejecting apparatus

Info

Publication number: JP3979336B2
Application number: JP2003120528A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 明彦志甫; 利雄熊谷; 淳小林; 正範竹村
Original assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Current assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Priority date: 2003-04-24
Filing date: 2003-04-24
Publication date: 2007-09-19
Anticipated expiration: 2023-04-24
Also published as: JP2004321947A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、液体導通材、その製造方法、及び液体噴射装置に関する。特に本発明は、記録または印刷を行う液体噴射装置に使用され、カートリッジの液体を液体噴射ヘッドに供給する液体導通材及びその製造方法に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
例えばインクジェット式記録装置等の液体噴射装置は、液体噴射ヘッドを往復運動させつつ液体を被記録物に対して噴射させることで、被記録物に記録または印刷を行う。被記録物に噴射される液体（例えばインク）は、液体供給部（例えばカートリッジ）から、液体噴射部（例えば記録ヘッド）に供給される。
【０００３】
液体噴射装置には、往復運動するキャリッジに液体噴射部及び液体供給部の双方を搭載するタイプの他に、キャリッジに液体噴射部のみを搭載するタイプがある（特許文献１参照）。
【０００４】
【特許文献１】
特開２００１−２１２９７４号公報
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
キャリッジが液体噴射部のみを搭載する場合、液体供給部から液体噴射部に液体を供給する液体導通材を設ける必要がある。従来は、ポリエチレンチューブを液体導通材として用いていた。
しかしポリエチレンチューブを用いる場合、複数の液体を液体噴射部に供給するためには複数のポリエチレンチューブを用いる必要がある。このため液体噴射装置を小型化することは難しかった。またポリエチレンチューブの取付に労力を必要としていた。
【０００６】
そこで本発明は、上記の課題を解決することのできる液体導通材、その製造方法、及び液体噴射装置を提供することを目的とする。この目的は特許請求の範囲における独立項に記載の特徴の組み合わせにより達成される。また従属項は本発明の更なる有利な具体例を規定する。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明の第１の形態は、液体噴射領域にある被記録物に液体を噴射して記録または書込みを行う液体噴射装置に使用され、液体噴射装置本体に設けられた液体供給部と、液体を噴射する液体噴射部とを連結する液体導通材であって、長手方向に沿って所要数の突条を互いに間隔を開けて併設し、かつ可撓性材料からなる長尺状の基材と、突条の端面を覆いつつ基材の巾方向に亘って当該基材に接合される可撓性を有した平板状長尺材とを備え、基材は、断面が略長方形であり、長方形の一方の長辺を構成する面の一部に設けられた第１の突条と、長方形の他方の長辺を構成する面の一部に設けられ、平面配置において第１の突条と一端のみが重なる第２の突条と、第１の突条によって形成される流路の端部と、第２の突条によって形成される流路の端部とを接続する接続流路と、を備えた液体導通材を提供する。
本発明の第２の形態は、液体噴射領域にある被記録物に液体を噴射して記録または書込みを行う液体噴射装置に使用され、液体噴射装置本体に設けられた液体供給部と、液体を噴射する液体噴射部とを連結する液体導通材であって、長手方向に沿って所要数の溝部を互いに離間させて形成し、かつ可撓性材料で形成されるとともに、溝部の長手方向の一端に、肉厚方向にならって開孔を穿設した長尺状の基材と、溝部の開口面を覆うと共に基材に接合される可撓性を有した平板状長尺材とを備え、基材は、断面が略長方形であり、長方形の一方の長辺を構成する面の一部に設けられた第１の溝部と、長方形の他方の長辺を構成する面の一部に設けられ、平面配置において第１の溝部と一端のみが重なる第２の溝部と、第１の溝部によって形成される流路の端部と、第２の溝部によって形成される流路の端部とを接続する接続流路と、を備えた液体導通材を提供する。
第１及び第２の形態の液体導通材によれば、基材及び平板状長尺材は可撓性材料で形成されており、かつ一つの液体導通材で複数種類の液体を導通させることができる。このため、液体導通材を液体噴射装置内部でコンパクトに引き回すことができる。従って液体噴射装置を小型化することができる。また、液体導通材が外部と接続する向きのバリエーションは増加する。
【０００８】
この液体導通材において、基材は、熱可塑性エラストマからなるのが好ましい。このようにすると、基材を射出形成することができる。従って液体導通材を安価に製造できると共に、液体導通材が取りうる形態の幅が広がる。
また基材を構成する可撓性材料はポリプロピレンを含む場合、平板状長尺材において、基材と接する層を構成する材料は、ポリプロピレンまたはポリエチレンを含むのが好ましい。このようにすると、基材と平板状長尺材を溶着することができる。
また平板状長尺材は、基材と接する層の上に、金属層を有するのが好ましい。このようにすると、平板状長尺材の他の層が液体を透過させても、金属層が、液体が蒸発することを防ぐ。また平板状長尺材の他の層が外気を透過させても、金属層が、外気が液体に入ることを防ぐ。
平板状長尺材において、金属層は、ナイロン層及びポリエチレンテレフタラート層に挟まれていると、金属層は保護される。また平板状長尺材の強度は向上する。
【０００９】
基材は、突条又は溝部を有さない面の少なくとも一部に、金属層を有する第２の平板状長尺材を更に備えてもよい。このようにすると、液体が基材を透過しても、金属層が、液体が蒸発することを防ぐ。
【００１０】
折り曲げ方向は一面に垂直な方向であるのが好ましい。このようにすると、液体導通材は容易に折り曲げられる。従って液体導通材をコンパクトに引き回すことができる。
ここで折り曲げ方向は、基材と平板状長尺材のうち、弾性が高い方が縮む方向であるのが好ましい。このようにすると、液体導通材の耐久性は向上する。液体が透過することを防ぐために平板状長尺材が金属層を有する場合、折り曲げ方向は、基材が縮む方向である。
【００１１】
液体導通材は、折り曲げられるべき部分と折り曲げられない部分があり、基材は、折り曲げられない部分が折り曲げられるべき部分より折り曲げ方向に厚くしてもよい。このようにすると、液体導通材は容易に折り曲げられると共に、基材を厚さ方向に透過する液体の量は少なくなる。
【００１２】
液体導通材が折り曲げ可能である場合、基材は、少なくとも折り曲げられるべき部分の断面形状が折り曲げ方向に反っていてもよい。このようにすると、液体導通材を折り曲げたとき、折り曲げ部分のふくらみは小さくなる。
突条又は溝部によって形成される流路と液体噴射部とを接続する、基材より剛性が高い接続部材を備えてもよい。このようにすると、液体導通材の取付を容易に行える。
突条又は溝部の形状を、基材の長手方向の途中で変更することで、突条又は溝によって形成される流路の断面積を、基材の長手方向の途中で変更してもよい。このようにすると、液体導通材の断面積を途中で変えることができる。従って、狭い場所を通す部分のみ、流路の断面積を小さくして液体導通材の断面積を小さくすることができる。
【００１３】
本発明の第３の形態は、液体噴射領域において被記録物に液体を噴射して記録または書込みを行う液体噴射装置に使用され、液体噴射装置本体に設けられた液体供給部と、液体を噴射する液体噴射部とを連結する液体導通材の製造方法であって、金型に熱可塑性エラストマを流し込み、長手方向に沿って所要数の突条を互いに間隔を開けて併設し、かつ可撓性材料からなる長尺状の基材を射出成形し、基材は、断面が略長方形であり、長方形の一方の長辺を構成する面の一部に設けられた第１の突条と、長方形の他方の長辺を構成する面の一部に設けられ、平面配置において第１の突条と一端のみが重なる第２の突条と、第１の突条によって形成される流路の端部と、第２の突条によって形成される流路の端部とを接続する接続流路と、を備え、可撓性を有した平板状長尺材を、突条の端面を覆いつつ基材の巾方向に亘って基材に接合させることで液体導通材を製造する、液体導通材の製造方法を提供する。
本形態によれば、第１の形態にかかる液体導通材を安価に製造することができる。
【００１４】
本発明の第４の形態は、液体噴射領域において被記録物に液体を噴射して記録または書込みを行う液体噴射装置に使用され、液体噴射装置本体に設けられた液体供給部と、液体を噴射する液体噴射部とを連結する液体導通材の製造方法であって、金型に熱可塑性エラストマを流し込むことで、長手方向に沿って所要数の溝部を互いに離間させて形成し、かつ溝部の長手方向の一端に、肉厚方向にならって開孔を穿設した長尺状の基材を射出成形し、基材は、断面が略長方形であり、長方形の一方の長辺を構成する面の一部に設けられた第１の溝部と、長方形の他方の長辺を構成する面の一部に設けられ、平面配置において第１の溝部と一端のみが重なる第２の溝部と、第１の溝部によって形成される流路の端部と、前記第２の溝部によって形成される流路の端部とを接続する接続流路と、を備え、可撓性を有した平板状長尺材を、溝部の開口面を覆うように基材に接合させることで液体導通材を製造する、液体導通材の製造方法を提供する。
本形態によれば、第２の形態にかかる液体導通材を安価に製造することができる。
【００１５】
第３又は第４の形態において、金型を、基材の両端が、当該基材の長手方向において、中央部近傍で対向するように形成し、基材の両端及び中央部近傍のそれぞれに対応する部分において可撓性材料を金型に流し込むようにすると、同一の流路を流れてきた熱可塑性エラストマを、金型の、両端及び基材中央部近傍のそれぞれに対応する部分に、同時に流し込むことができる。従って、液体導通材が長い場合でも、基材を射出成形することができる。
【００１６】
本発明の第５の形態は、液体噴射領域において被記録物に液体を噴射して記録または書込みを行う液体噴射装置であって、液体噴射装置本体に設けられた液体供給部と、被記録物に対して液体を噴射する液体噴射部と、液体供給部と液体噴射部とを連結する液体導通材とを備え、液体導通材は、長手方向に沿って所要数の突条を互いに間隔を開けて併設し、かつ可撓性材料からなる長尺状の基材と、突条の端面を覆いつつ基材の巾方向に亘って基材に接合される可撓性を有した平板状長尺材とを有し、基材は、断面が略長方形であり、長方形の一方の長辺を構成する面の一部に設けられた第１の突条と、長方形の他方の長辺を構成する面の一部に設けられ、平面配置において第１の突条と一端のみが重なる第２の突条と、第１の突条によって形成される流路の端部と、第２の突条によって形成される流路の端部とを接続する接続流路と、を備える、液体噴射装置を提供する。
本発明の第６の形態は、液体噴射領域において被記録物に液体を噴射して記録または書込みを行う液体噴射装置であって、液体噴射装置本体に設けられた液体供給部と、被記録物に対して液体を噴射する液体噴射部と、液体供給部と液体噴射部とを連結する液体導通材とを備え、液体導通材は、長手方向に沿って所要数の溝部を互いに離間させて形成し、かつ可撓性材料で形成されるとともに、溝部の長手方向の一端に、肉厚方向にならって開孔を穿設した長尺状の基材と、溝部の開口面を覆うと共に基材に接合される可撓性を有した平板状長尺材とを有し、基材は、断面が略長方形であり、長方形の一方の長辺を構成する面の一部に設けられた第１の溝部と、長方形の他方の長辺を構成する面の一部に設けられ、平面配置において第１の溝部と一端のみが重なる第２の溝部と、第１の溝部によって形成される流路の端部と、第２の溝部によって形成される流路の端部とを接続する接続流路と、を備える、液体噴射装置を提供する。
第５及び第６の形態によれば、液体導通材を構成する基材及び平板状長尺材は可撓性材料で形成されている。また一つの液体導通材で複数種類の液体を導通させることができる。
このため、液体導通材を液体噴射装置内部でコンパクトに引き回すことができる。従って液体噴射装置を小型化することができる。
また液体導通材の基材をエラストマで形成すると、基材を射出形成することができる。従って液体導通材を安価に製造できると共に、液体導通材が取りうる形態の幅が広がる。
【００１７】
なお上記の発明の概要は、本発明の必要な特徴の全てを列挙したものではなく、これらの特徴群のサブコンビネーションも又発明となりうる。
【００１８】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、発明の実施の形態を通じて本発明を説明するが、以下の実施形態は特許請求の範囲にかかる発明を限定するものではなく、又実施形態の中で説明されている特徴の組み合わせの全てが発明の解決手段に必須であるとは限らない。
【００１９】
図１は、本発明の一実施形態である液体導通材１００を用いたインクジェット式記録装置１０の斜視図であり、図２はインクジェット式記録装置１０の要部斜視図である。図１及び図２に示すように、インクジェット式記録装置１０は、被記録物を跨ぐように往復運動するキャリッジ４２、キャリッジ４２に載置されていて複数色のインクを被記録物に対して噴射して記録、書込みまたは印刷を行う記録ヘッド４４、互いに異なる色のインクを保持する複数のカートリッジ４５、及び液体導通材１００を備える。キャリッジ４２は図示しないモータによって、ガイドシャフト４８に沿って往復移動される。カートリッジ４５は、キャリッジ４２ではなくインクジェット式記録装置１０本体に固定されている。液体導通材１００は、長尺状であり、可撓性材料（例えば熱可塑性エラストマ）で形成されている。液体導通材１００は、所要数（本形態では複数）の流路を有しており、往復運動する記録ヘッド４４に対し、複数のカートリッジ４５のそれぞれが保持する複数色のインクを供給する。記録ヘッド４４は、液体噴射領域すなわち記録ヘッド４４の移動経路の下にある被記録物１１に対し、インクを噴射して記録、書込み又は印刷を行う。ここでカートリッジ４５が保持する複数色のインクは、図示しない固定流路により、カートリッジ４５から液体導通材１００の一端１００ａまで供給されている。
【００２０】
このため、ひとつの液体導通材１００を取り付けるのみで、記録ヘッド４４に、複数のカートリッジ４５がそれぞれ保持する複数色のインクを供給することができる。従ってインクジェット式記録装置１０を小型化することができる。また液体導通材１００の取付に必要な労力は小さくなる。
ここで液体導通材１００を形成する可撓性材料として、ＳＥＰＳ（ポリスチレン−ポリエチレン−ポリプロピレン−ポリスチレン）重合体を主材料とするエラストマを用いると、液体導通材１００はポリエチレンチューブと比べて柔らかくなる。この場合、液体導通材１００を深く折り曲げることができるため、インクジェット式記録装置１０を特に小型化することができる。またキャリッジ駆動時に、キャリッジ４２を駆動するモータに加わる負荷は小さくなる。
【００２１】
ここで、インクジェット式記録装置１０は、液体噴射装置の一例である。また、インクジェット式記録装置の記録ヘッド４４は、液体噴射装置の液体噴射部の一例であり、カートリッジ４５は液体供給部の一例である。
しかしながら、本発明はこれらに限られない。液体噴射装置の他の例は、液晶ディスプレイのカラーフィルタを製造するカラーフィルタ製造装置である。この場合、カラーフィルタ製造装置の色材噴射ヘッドが液体噴射ヘッドの一例である。液体噴射装置のさらに他の例は、有機ＥＬディスプレイ、ＦＥＤ（面発光ディスプレイ）等の電極を形成する電極形成装置である。この場合、電極形成装置の電極材（電導ペースト）噴射ヘッドが液体噴射ヘッドの一例である。液体噴射装置のさらに他の例は、バイオチップを製造するバイオチップ製造装置である。この場合、バイオチップ製造装置の生体有機物噴射ヘッドおよび精密ピペットとしての試料噴射ヘッドが液体噴射ヘッドの一例である。本発明の液体噴射装置は、産業用途を有するその他の液体噴射装置も含む。また被記録物１１は、液体が噴射されることにより記録、書込み又は印刷が行われる物であり、例えば記録用紙、ディスプレイの電極等の回路パターンが印刷される回路基板、ラベルが印刷されるＣＤ−ＲＯＭ、ＤＮＡ回路が印刷されるプレパラートが含まれる。
【００２２】
図３は液体導通材１００の断面図である。液体導通材１００は、可撓性材料で形成される基材１１０、及び基材１１０の一面１１０ａに接合される平板状長尺材１２０を有する。本実施形態において平板状長尺材１２０は、例えば粘着や溶着により一面１１０ａに接合されており、基材１１０に接合した状態で可撓性を有する。
基材１１０は、断面形状が略長方形であり、長手方向に伸延する溝状の溝部１１２を一面１１０ａの巾方向に複数互いに離間形成したものである。本例において溝部１１２の断面は長方形であり、複数の突条１１１によって形成されている。そして溝部１１２の開口面は、平板状長尺材１２０によって覆われている。このようにして、溝部１１２はインクの流路となる。ここで平面状長尺材１２０は、可撓性を有している。また突条１１１の端面を覆いつつ基材１１０の巾方向に亘って接合されることで、溝部１１２の開口面を覆っている。
このような構造にすると、金型に可撓性材料、例えば熱可塑性エラストマを流し込んで基材１１０を射出成形し、一面１１０ａに平板状長尺材１２０を覆うことで、液体導通材１００を製造することができる。この場合、基材１１０を複雑な形状にすることができる。また製造コストを低く押さえることができる。なお液体導通材１００を形成する可撓性材料は、ＳＥＰＳ重合体の他に、柔軟材としてパラフィンオイルを含むのが好ましい。さらにはパラフィンオイルと共に、又はパラフィンオイルとは別に、ポリプロピレンを含んでいてもよい。
また、基材１１０の巾方向に複数形成された突条１１１のうち、両端の突条１１１は他の突条１１１より幅広である。このようにすると、インクの溶剤（例えば水）が基材１１０を透過する量、及び外気が基材１１０を透過してインクに溶け込む量を、それぞれ少なくすることができる。
【００２３】
図４は、平板状長尺材１２０の構造を示す断面図である。平板状長尺材１２０は、基材１１０と接する側から順に、溶着層１２１、補強層１２２、金属層１２３及び保護層１２４を積層した構造である。
溶着層１２１は、平板状長尺材１２０を、溶着により基材１１０に接合させるための層である。基材１１０がＳＥＰＳの他にポリプロピレンを含む場合、溶着層１２１は、ポリエチレンまたはポリプロピレンで形成される。
補強層１２２は、平板状長尺材１２０を補強するための層である。また補強層１２２は平板状長尺材１２０の耐熱性を向上させる機能も持つ。具体的には、補強層１２２はポリアミドで形成される。
金属層１２３は、インクに含まれる溶剤（例えば水を含む）や外気が平板状長尺材１２０を透過することを防ぐための層であり、例えばアルミニウム泊などの金属層である。金属層１２３を設けることにより、平板状長尺材１２０は、インクに含まれる溶剤（例えば水を含む）が蒸発することを防ぐ機能を持つ。また金属層１２３は、外気が平板状長尺材１２０を透過してインクにとけ込むことを防ぐ機能を持つ。
保護層１２４は、金属層１２３を物理的及び熱的に保護するための層であり、例えばポリエチレンテレフタラートで形成される。また保護層１２４は、平板状長尺材１２０を補強する機能を持つ。
【００２４】
また液体導通材１００は、基材１１０の一面１１０ａに垂直な方向に折り曲げられる。ここで基材１１０は平板状長尺材１２０と比べて弾性が高い。このため、液体導通材１００は基材１１０が縮む方向に折り曲げられるのが好ましい。この場合、平板状長尺材１２０は基材１１０から剥がれにくくなる。さらに、平板状長尺材１２０に切れ目が入りにくくなる。
なお、本実施形態において、平板状長尺材１２０と基材１１０とは溶着により互いに接合しているが、溶着以外の接合構造、例えば接着剤を用いて接合する構造であってもよい。
【００２５】
図５は液体導通材１００の斜視図である。液体導通材１００は、一端１００ａ及び他端１００ｂのそれぞれが、長手方向において、中央部近傍で互いに対向するように曲がっている。詳細には、液体導通材１００は、一端１００ａから略１／４の部分で１８０°曲がっており、かつ他端１００ｂから略１／４の部分で１８０°曲がっている。
このようにすると、基材１１０を射出成形するときに、同一の流路を流れてきた可撓性材料を、金型の、一端１００ａ、他端１００ｂ及び基材１１０中央部近傍のそれぞれに対応する部分に、同時に流し込むことができる。従って、液体導通材１００が長い場合でも、基材１１０を射出成形することができる。
【００２６】
図６は、基材１１０の一端すなわち液体導通材１００の一端１００ａに対応する部分の拡大斜視図である。図７は、基材１１０の一端１００ａに対応する部分を、図６とは反対側の面から見た拡大斜視図である。溝部１１２のそれぞれは、基材１１０の一端の手前で行き止まっており、そこから他の側面、例えば一面１１０ａとは反対側の面１１０ｂに貫通する開孔１１４につながっている。開孔１１４は、基材１１０の肉厚方向に穿孔されており、溝部１１２を外部と接続する。
また複数の開孔１１４は、基材１１０の長手方向において互い違いに配置されている。このようにすると、開孔１１４を並列に配置する場合と比べて、開孔１１４の径を大きくすることができる。
なお、基材１１０において、液体導通材１００の他端１００ｂに相当する部分の構造も、一端１００ａに相当する部分の構造と同じである。
【００２７】
図８は、液体導通材１００に接続部材２００を取り付けた状態の斜視図である。接続部材２００は、液体導通材１００に対し、押さえリング３００を用いて挟み込み固定される。接続部材２００は、液体導通材１００とキャリッジ４２又は記録ヘッド４４を接続するための治具であり、液体導通材１００より剛性が高い材料、例えば常温で硬いプラスチックを用いて形成されている。押さえリング３００は例えば常温で硬いプラスチックを用いて形成されている。接続部材２００を液体導通材１００に固定して用いると、液体導通材１００はキャリッジ４２又は記録ヘッド４４に容易に接続される。
【００２８】
図９は、接続部材２００の斜視図であり、図１０は接続部材２００を図９とは逆の方向から見た斜視図である。接続部材２００は、略長方形の平面形状を有している。また液体導通材１００の開孔１１４に填め込まれる複数の導通材接続部２１０、キャリッジ４２に填め込まれる複数の装置接続部２２０、及び導通材接続部２１０と装置接続部２２０を接続する流路２３０を有する。押さえリング３００は、開孔１１４に填め込まれた導通材接続部２１０を、開孔１１４に填め込む方向に挟み込んでいる。
【００２９】
複数の導通材接続部２１０は、本実施例においては接続部材２００本体から立設している管状部材であり、接続部材２００の一方の端部に沿って、長手方向に互い違いに配置されている。この配置は、開孔１１４の配置に対応している。
装置接続部２２０は、本実施例においては接続部材２００本体から立設している管状部材であり、定められた数毎に短辺と並行に並ぶことで、組を形成している。そしてその組の周囲を囲むように、リング状の封止パッキン２２２が設けられている。封止パッキン２２２を設けることで、導通材接続部２１０と記録ヘッド４４の接続箇所からインクが漏れる可能性は低くなる。なお封止パッキン２２２はなくてもよい。
なお、本例において、装置接続部２２０は２つ毎に組になっている。また本例において導通材接続部２１０と装置接続部２２０は同一の面に設けられているが、互いに異なる面に設けられていてもよい。
【００３０】
図１１、図１２、及び図１３は、それぞれ溝部１１２の断面形状の変形例を示す。
図１１において溝部１１２の断面形状は半円である。このようにした場合、インクは流れやすくなる。
図１２において突条１１１及び溝部１１２は、基材１１０の一面１１０ａ、及び一面１１０ａの反対側の面である対向面１１０ｂの双方に複数設けられている。また平板状長尺材１２０は一面１１０ａ及び対向面１１０ｂの双方に接合されている。このようにすると、液体導通材１００の幅に対する溝部１１２の密度を高くすることができる。
図１３において、溝部１１２の断面形状は三角形である。また突条１１１及び溝部１１２は基材１１０の一面１１０ａ及び対向面１１０ｂの双方に複数設けられている。平板状長尺材１２０は一面１１０ａ及び対向面１１０ｂの双方に貼り付けられている。ここで一面１１０ａに設けられた溝部１１２と対向面１１０ｂに設けられた溝部１１２は、基材１１０の短辺に沿う方向において互い違いに配置されている。このようにすると、液体導通材１００の幅に対する溝部１１２の密度を高くすることができると共に、液体導通材１００の厚みを薄くすることができる。
【００３１】
図１４及び図１５は、それぞれ液体導通材１００の断面形状の他の変形例を示す断面図である。本例において、液体導通材１００の基材１１０は、少なくとも折り曲げられるべき部分において、断面形状を反らせている。反らせる方向は、折り曲げたときに内側に向く面が凹となる方向であってもよいし、外側を向く面が凹となる方向であってもよい。このようにすると、図１６に示す液体導通材１００の側面図の通り、折り曲げた部分Ｂにおいて液体導通材１００は外側に膨らまない。
【００３２】
図１７は、液体導通材１００の第１の変形例に用いられる基材１１０の斜視図であり、図１８は、液体導通材１００の、図１７のＡ−Ａ断面図に相当する断面図である。本変形例において、液体導通材１００は、１００ａ側の端部から途中までは、突条１１１及び溝部１１２を一面１１０ａに設けており、この途中から対向面１１０ｂ側の端部までは、突条１１１及び溝部１１２を対向面１１０ｂに設けている。具体的には、一端１００ａに設けられた溝部１１２の端部と対向面１１０ｂに設けられた溝部１１２の端部は、平面配置において重なっている。そして重なっている部分において、２つの溝部１１２を接続する接続流路１１６が設けられている。
このようにすると、一端１００ａにおける開孔１１４の向きを、他端１００ｂにおける開孔１１４の向きとは異なる方向にすることができる。
【００３３】
図１９は、液体導通材１００の第２の変形例に用いられる基材１１０の平面概略図の一部である。本変形例において、溝部１１２の断面積は、基材１１０の長手方向において、途中で変わっている。断面積を途中で変更するために、本図においては溝部１１２の幅を途中で変更しているが、溝部１１２の深さを途中で変更してもよい。それ以外の構成は、図５〜図７に示した液体導通材１００と同じである。このため、狭いところを通す必要がある部分についてのみ溝部１１２の断面積を小さくして液体導通材１００の断面を小さくし、その他の部分については溝部１１２の断面積を広くする、という構造を取ることができる。この場合、溝部１１２を流れることによるインクの圧力損失を小さくすることができる。
なお、射出成形することにより、このような構造の基材１１０を安価に製造されることができる。
【００３４】
図２０は、液体導通材１００の第３の変形例に用いられる基材１１０の斜視図である。本変形例において基材１１０は、側面に、複数の固定用凸部１１８を有する。それ以外の構成は、図５〜図７に示した液体導通材１００と同じである。固定用凸部１１８は、液体導通材１００をインクジェット式記録装置１０の内部に固定するためのものである。基材１１０は射出形成されるため、固定用凸部１１８の位置及び形状を、固定先の形状や位置に合わせて任意に設定することができる。
【００３５】
図２１は、液体導通材１００の第４の変形例の側面図である。本変形例において、折り曲げられない部分における基材１１０の厚さは、折り曲げられる部分における基材１１０の厚さより厚くなっている。それ以外の構成は、図５〜図７に示した液体導通材１００と同じである。
このようにすると、インクの溶剤は基材１１０を透過して蒸発しにくくなる。また液体導通材１００は折り曲げやすいままである。なお本変形例において、溝部１１２を有する面である一面１１０ａは面一であり、対向面１１０ｂ側を凹凸させることで、基材１１０の厚さを変えている。
【００３６】
図２２は、基材１１０の第５の変形例の側面図である。本変形例において、基材１１０の折り曲げられない部分は、一面１１０ａ及び対向面１１０ｂの双方に平板状長尺材１２０を有している。それ以外の構成は、図５〜図７に示した液体導通材１００と同じである。
このようにすると、インクの溶剤は、基材１１０を透過しても平板状長尺材１２０によって遮られるため、蒸発にくくなる。また折り曲げられる部分には一面１１０ａのみに平板状長尺材１２０を接合しているため、液体導通材１００の柔軟性は損なわれない。
【００３７】
上記説明から明らかなように、本実施形態の液体導通材１００によれば、コンパクトに引き回すことが可能である。またキャリッジ駆動時にキャリッジを駆動するモータに加わる負荷を小さくすることができる。
以上、本発明を実施の形態を用いて説明したが、本発明の技術的範囲は上記実施の形態に記載の範囲には限定されない。上記実施の形態に、多様な変更又は改良を加えることができる。その様な変更又は改良を加えた形態も本発明の技術的範囲に含まれ得ることが、特許請求の範囲の記載から明らかである。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】液体導通材１００を用いたインクジェット式記録装置１０の斜視図
【図２】インクジェット式記録装置１０の要部斜視図
【図３】液体導通材１００の断面図
【図４】平板状長尺材１２０の構造を示す断面図
【図５】液体導通材１００の斜視図
【図６】基材１１０の端の拡大斜視図
【図７】基材１１０の端を、図６とは反対側から見た拡大斜視図
【図８】液体導通材１００に接続部材２００を取り付けた状態の斜視図
【図９】接続部材２００の斜視図
【図１０】接続部材２００を図９とは逆の方向から見た斜視図
【図１１】溝部１１２の断面形状の変形例を示す断面図
【図１２】溝部１１２の断面形状の変形例を示す断面図
【図１３】溝部１１２の断面形状の変形例を示す断面図
【図１４】液体導通材１００の断面形状の他の変形例を示す断面図
【図１５】液体導通材１００の断面形状の他の変形例を示す断面図
【図１６】液体導通材１００の側面図
【図１７】第１の変形例に用いられる基材１１０の斜視図
【図１８】液体導通材１００の、図１７のＡ−Ａ断面図に相当する断面図
【図１９】第２の変形例の基材１１０の平面概略図の一部
【図２０】第３の変形例の基材１１０の斜視図
【図２１】液体導通材１００の第４の変形例の側面図
【図２２】基材１１０の第５の変形例の側面図
【符号の説明】
１０…インクジェット式記録装置、４２…キャリッジ、４４…記録ヘッド、４５…カートリッジ、１００…液体導通材、１００ａ…一端、１００ｂ…他端、１１０…基材、１１０ａ…一面、１１０ｂ…対向面、１１１…突条、１１２…溝部、１１４…開孔、１１６…接続流路、１１８…固定用凸部、１２０…平板状長尺材、１２１…溶着層、１２２…補強層、１２３…金属層、１２４…保護層、２００…接続部材、２１０…導通材接続部、２２０…装置接続部、２３０…流路、２２２…封止パッキン、３００…押さえリング[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a liquid conducting material, a manufacturing method thereof, and a liquid ejecting apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to a liquid conducting material that is used in a liquid ejecting apparatus that performs recording or printing and supplies a liquid in a cartridge to a liquid ejecting head, and a method for manufacturing the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, a liquid ejecting apparatus such as an ink jet recording apparatus performs recording or printing on a recording object by ejecting liquid onto the recording object while reciprocating a liquid ejecting head. A liquid (for example, ink) ejected onto the recording material is supplied from a liquid supply unit (for example, a cartridge) to a liquid ejection unit (for example, a recording head).
[0003]
As a liquid ejecting apparatus, there is a type in which only a liquid ejecting unit is mounted on a carriage in addition to a type in which both a liquid ejecting unit and a liquid supply unit are mounted on a reciprocating carriage (see Patent Document 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-221974 A
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When the carriage mounts only the liquid ejecting unit, it is necessary to provide a liquid conducting material that supplies liquid from the liquid supplying unit to the liquid ejecting unit. Conventionally, a polyethylene tube has been used as a liquid conducting material.
However, when a polyethylene tube is used, it is necessary to use a plurality of polyethylene tubes in order to supply a plurality of liquids to the liquid ejecting unit. For this reason, it has been difficult to reduce the size of the liquid ejecting apparatus. Moreover, labor was required for the installation of the polyethylene tube.
[0006]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid conducting material, a method for manufacturing the same, and a liquid ejecting apparatus that can solve the above-described problems. This object is achieved by a combination of features described in the independent claims. The dependent claims define further advantageous specific examples of the present invention.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  A first aspect of the present invention is used in a liquid ejecting apparatus that performs recording or writing by ejecting liquid onto a recording material in a liquid ejecting area, and includes a liquid supply unit provided in a liquid ejecting apparatus body, and a liquid A liquid conducting material for connecting a liquid ejecting unit to be ejected, and a long base made of a flexible material, with a required number of protrusions spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction; and A plate-like long material having flexibility to be bonded to the base material over the width direction of the base material while covering the end face of the ridge,The base material has a substantially rectangular cross section, and is provided on a part of a surface constituting the first long side of the rectangle and a part of a surface constituting the other long side of the rectangle. A second protrusion that overlaps only the first protrusion and one end in a planar arrangement, an end of a flow path formed by the first protrusion, and a flow path formed by the second protrusion. A connection flow path for connecting the end portion,A liquid conducting material is provided.
  The second aspect of the present invention is used in a liquid ejecting apparatus that performs recording or writing by ejecting liquid onto a recording material in a liquid ejecting area, and includes a liquid supply unit provided in the liquid ejecting apparatus body, A liquid conducting material for connecting a liquid ejecting portion to be ejected, wherein a required number of groove portions are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction, and are formed of a flexible material, and one end in the longitudinal direction of the groove portion In addition, a long base material in which an opening is formed in the thickness direction, and a flat plate-like long material that covers the opening surface of the groove and is joined to the base material,The substrate has a substantially rectangular cross section, and is provided on a first groove portion provided on a part of a surface constituting one long side of the rectangle, and on a part of a surface constituting the other long side of the rectangle. , Connecting the second groove part that overlaps only the first groove part in the planar arrangement, the end part of the flow path formed by the first groove part, and the end part of the flow path formed by the second groove part A connecting flow pathA liquid conducting material is provided.
  According to the liquid conducting material of the first and second embodiments, the base material and the plate-like long material are formed of a flexible material, and a plurality of types of liquid can be conducted with one liquid conducting material. it can. For this reason, the liquid conducting material can be routed compactly inside the liquid ejecting apparatus. Therefore, the liquid ejecting apparatus can be reduced in size.In addition, variations in the direction in which the liquid conducting material is connected to the outside increase.
[0008]
In this liquid conducting material, the base material is preferably made of a thermoplastic elastomer. In this way, the base material can be injection-molded. Accordingly, the liquid conducting material can be manufactured at a low cost, and the range of forms that the liquid conducting material can take increases.
Moreover, when the flexible material which comprises a base material contains a polypropylene, it is preferable that the material which comprises the layer which contact | connects a base material in a plate-shaped elongate material contains a polypropylene or polyethylene. If it does in this way, a base material and a tabular elongate material can be welded.
Moreover, it is preferable that a flat elongate material has a metal layer on the layer which contact | connects a base material. If it does in this way, even if the other layer of flat plate-shaped elongate material permeate | transmits a liquid, a metal layer prevents that a liquid evaporates. Moreover, even if the other layers of the flat plate-like material allow the outside air to pass through, the metal layer prevents the outside air from entering the liquid.
In the plate-like long material, when the metal layer is sandwiched between the nylon layer and the polyethylene terephthalate layer, the metal layer is protected. Moreover, the strength of the plate-like long material is improved.
[0009]
The base material may further include a second flat plate-like long material having a metal layer on at least a part of the surface not having the protrusion or the groove. If it does in this way, even if a liquid permeate | transmits a base material, a metal layer prevents that a liquid evaporates.
[0010]
The bending direction is preferably a direction perpendicular to one surface. If it does in this way, a liquid conduction material will be bent easily. Therefore, the liquid conducting material can be routed compactly.
Here, it is preferable that the bending direction is a direction in which the higher elasticity of the base material and the plate-like long material is contracted. If it does in this way, durability of a liquid conduction material will improve. When the plate-like long material has a metal layer in order to prevent liquid from permeating, the bending direction is the direction in which the base material shrinks.
[0011]
The liquid conducting material has a portion that should be bent and a portion that cannot be bent, and the base material may be thicker in the bending direction than the portion that should not be bent. If it does in this way, while the liquid conduction | electrical_connection material is bend | folded easily, the quantity of the liquid which permeate | transmits a base material in the thickness direction decreases.
[0012]
  When the liquid conducting material is bendable, at least the cross-sectional shape of the base material to be bent may be warped in the bending direction. If it does in this way, when a liquid conduction material is bent, the bulge of a bent part will become small.
  You may provide the connection member whose rigidity is higher than a base material which connects the flow path formed with a protrusion or a groove part, and a liquid injection part. If it does in this way, attachment of a liquid conduction material can be performed easily.
You may change the cross-sectional area of the flow path formed by a protrusion or a groove | channel in the middle of the longitudinal direction of a base material by changing the shape of a protrusion or a groove part in the middle of the longitudinal direction of a base material. In this way, the cross-sectional area of the liquid conducting material can be changed midway. Accordingly, the cross-sectional area of the liquid conducting material can be reduced by reducing the cross-sectional area of the flow path only in the portion that passes through the narrow place.
[0013]
  The third aspect of the present invention is used in a liquid ejecting apparatus that performs recording or writing by ejecting a liquid onto a recording material in a liquid ejecting area, and ejects a liquid, provided in a liquid ejecting apparatus body A method of manufacturing a liquid conducting material that connects a liquid ejecting portion to be poured, in which a thermoplastic elastomer is poured into a mold, a required number of protrusions are provided at intervals along the longitudinal direction, and flexible A long base material made of material is injection molded,The base material has a substantially rectangular cross section, and is provided on a part of a surface constituting the first long side of the rectangle and a part of a surface constituting the other long side of the rectangle. A second protrusion that overlaps only the first protrusion and one end in a planar arrangement, an end of a flow path formed by the first protrusion, and a flow path formed by the second protrusion. A connection flow path connecting the end portion,Provided is a method for producing a liquid conducting material, in which a liquid conducting material is produced by joining a flexible flat plate-like long material to a substrate over the width direction of the substrate while covering the end face of the protrusion. To do.
  According to this embodiment, the liquid conducting material according to the first embodiment can be manufactured at low cost.
[0014]
  The fourth aspect of the present invention is used in a liquid ejecting apparatus that performs recording or writing by ejecting a liquid onto a recording material in a liquid ejecting area, and ejects a liquid provided in a liquid ejecting apparatus main body. A liquid conducting material manufacturing method for connecting a liquid ejecting portion to a mold, wherein a thermoplastic elastomer is poured into a mold to form a required number of groove portions apart from each other along the longitudinal direction, and the length of the groove portion At the one end of the direction, injection molding a long base material with holes in the thickness direction,The substrate has a substantially rectangular cross section, and is provided on a first groove portion provided on a part of a surface constituting one long side of the rectangle, and on a part of a surface constituting the other long side of the rectangle. A second groove part that overlaps only with the first groove part in a planar arrangement, an end part of the flow path formed by the first groove part, and an end part of the flow path formed by the second groove part. A connection flow path to be connected,Provided is a method for manufacturing a liquid conducting material, in which a liquid conducting material is produced by joining a flat plate-like long material having flexibility to a base material so as to cover an opening surface of a groove.
  According to this embodiment, the liquid conducting material according to the second embodiment can be manufactured at low cost.
[0015]
  In the third or fourth embodiment, the mold is formed so that both ends of the base material are opposed to each other in the vicinity of the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the base material, and correspond to each of the both ends of the base material and the vicinity of the central portion. When the flexible material is poured into the mold at the part where the material is to flow, the thermoplastic elastomer that has flowed through the same flow path is poured simultaneously into the corresponding parts of the mold near the both ends and near the center of the substrate. be able to. Therefore, even when the liquid conducting material is long, the base material can be injection molded.
[0016]
  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus that performs recording or writing by ejecting a liquid onto a recording material in a liquid ejecting area, the liquid supply unit provided in the liquid ejecting apparatus main body, and the recorded material A liquid ejecting section for ejecting liquid and a liquid conducting material for connecting the liquid supply section and the liquid ejecting section. The liquid conducting material is spaced apart from each other by a required number of protrusions along the longitudinal direction. And a long plate made of a flexible material, and a plate-like long plate having flexibility to be bonded to the substrate over the width direction of the substrate while covering the end face of the protrusion With materials,The base material has a substantially rectangular cross section, and is provided on a part of a surface constituting the first long side of the rectangle and a part of a surface constituting the other long side of the rectangle. A second protrusion that overlaps only the first protrusion and one end in a planar arrangement, an end of a flow path formed by the first protrusion, and a flow path formed by the second protrusion. A connection flow path for connecting the end portion,A liquid ejecting apparatus is provided.
  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus that performs recording or writing by ejecting a liquid onto a recording material in a liquid ejecting area, the liquid supply unit provided in the liquid ejecting apparatus main body, and the recorded material A liquid ejecting section for ejecting liquid and a liquid conducting material for connecting the liquid supply section and the liquid ejecting section, and the liquid conducting material is formed by separating a required number of grooves along the longitudinal direction from each other. And an elongated base material that is formed of a flexible material and has an opening in the longitudinal direction of the groove portion along the thickness direction, and covers the opening surface of the groove portion and the base material And a plate-like long material having flexibility to be joined toThe substrate has a substantially rectangular cross section, and is provided on a first groove portion provided on a part of a surface constituting one long side of the rectangle, and on a part of a surface constituting the other long side of the rectangle. , Connecting the second groove part that overlaps only the first groove part in the planar arrangement, the end part of the flow path formed by the first groove part, and the end part of the flow path formed by the second groove part A connecting flow pathA liquid ejecting apparatus is provided.
  According to the 5th and 6th form, the base material and flat plate-shaped elongate material which comprise a liquid conduction | electrical_connection material are formed with the flexible material. In addition, a plurality of types of liquid can be conducted with one liquid conducting material.
  For this reason, the liquid conducting material can be routed compactly inside the liquid ejecting apparatus. Therefore, the liquid ejecting apparatus can be reduced in size.
  Moreover, when the base material of the liquid conducting material is formed of an elastomer, the base material can be injection-formed. Accordingly, the liquid conducting material can be manufactured at a low cost, and the range of forms that the liquid conducting material can take increases.
[0017]
The above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention, and sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be the invention.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are included. It is not necessarily essential for the solution of the invention.
[0019]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus 10 that uses a liquid conducting material 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a main part perspective view of the ink jet recording apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the ink jet recording apparatus 10 has a carriage 42 that reciprocates so as to straddle the recording material, and is placed on the carriage 42 and ejects a plurality of colors of ink onto the recording material. The recording head 44 that performs recording, writing, or printing, a plurality of cartridges 45 that hold inks of different colors, and the liquid conducting material 100 are provided. The carriage 42 is reciprocated along the guide shaft 48 by a motor (not shown). The cartridge 45 is fixed not to the carriage 42 but to the main body of the ink jet recording apparatus 10. The liquid conducting material 100 is long and formed of a flexible material (for example, a thermoplastic elastomer). The liquid conducting material 100 has a required number (in this embodiment, a plurality of) flow paths, and supplies a plurality of colors of ink held by each of the plurality of cartridges 45 to the reciprocating recording head 44. The recording head 44 performs recording, writing, or printing by ejecting ink to the recording material 11 under the liquid ejection region, that is, the moving path of the recording head 44. Here, the inks of a plurality of colors held by the cartridge 45 are supplied from the cartridge 45 to one end 100a of the liquid conducting material 100 through a fixed flow path (not shown).
[0020]
For this reason, it is possible to supply the recording head 44 with a plurality of colors of ink held by the plurality of cartridges 45 only by attaching one liquid conducting material 100. Accordingly, the ink jet recording apparatus 10 can be reduced in size. Further, the labor required for mounting the liquid conducting material 100 is reduced.
Here, when an elastomer mainly composed of a SEPS (polystyrene-polyethylene-polypropylene-polystyrene) polymer is used as the flexible material for forming the liquid conducting material 100, the liquid conducting material 100 becomes softer than the polyethylene tube. In this case, since the liquid conducting material 100 can be bent deeply, the ink jet recording apparatus 10 can be particularly miniaturized. Further, when the carriage is driven, the load applied to the motor that drives the carriage 42 is reduced.
[0021]
Here, the ink jet recording apparatus 10 is an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus. The recording head 44 of the ink jet recording apparatus is an example of a liquid ejecting section of the liquid ejecting apparatus, and the cartridge 45 is an example of a liquid supply section.
However, the present invention is not limited to these. Another example of the liquid ejecting apparatus is a color filter manufacturing apparatus that manufactures a color filter for a liquid crystal display. In this case, the color material ejecting head of the color filter manufacturing apparatus is an example of the liquid ejecting head. Still another example of the liquid ejecting apparatus is an electrode forming apparatus that forms electrodes such as an organic EL display and an FED (surface emitting display). In this case, the electrode material (conductive paste) ejecting head of the electrode forming apparatus is an example of the liquid ejecting head. Still another example of the liquid ejecting apparatus is a biochip manufacturing apparatus that manufactures a biochip. In this case, the bio-organic substance ejecting head of the biochip manufacturing apparatus and the sample ejecting head as a precision pipette are examples of the liquid ejecting head. The liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention includes other liquid ejecting apparatuses having industrial use. The recording object 11 is an object on which recording, writing, or printing is performed by ejecting a liquid. For example, a recording substrate, a circuit board on which a circuit pattern such as a display electrode is printed, and a CD on which a label is printed. -ROM, preparations on which DNA circuits are printed are included.
[0022]
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid conducting material 100. The liquid conducting material 100 includes a base material 110 formed of a flexible material and a flat plate-like long material 120 joined to one surface 110a of the base material 110. In the present embodiment, the flat plate-like long material 120 is bonded to the one surface 110 a by, for example, adhesion or welding, and has flexibility in a state of being bonded to the base material 110.
The base material 110 has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape, and a plurality of groove-like groove portions 112 extending in the longitudinal direction are formed apart from each other in the width direction of the surface 110a. In this example, the groove 112 has a rectangular cross section and is formed by a plurality of protrusions 111. The opening surface of the groove portion 112 is covered with a flat plate-like long material 120. In this way, the groove 112 becomes an ink flow path. Here, the planar elongated member 120 has flexibility. Moreover, the opening surface of the groove part 112 is covered by joining over the width direction of the base material 110, covering the end surface of the protrusion 111. FIG.
With such a structure, the liquid conductive material 100 is manufactured by pouring a base material 110 by pouring a flexible material, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer into a mold, and covering the flat long material 120 on one surface 110a. can do. In this case, the base material 110 can be made into a complicated shape. Further, the manufacturing cost can be kept low. The flexible material forming the liquid conducting material 100 preferably contains paraffin oil as a soft material in addition to the SEPS polymer. Further, it may contain polypropylene together with or separately from paraffin oil.
Further, among the plurality of protrusions 111 formed in the width direction of the substrate 110, the protrusions 111 at both ends are wider than the other protrusions 111. In this way, the amount of ink solvent (for example, water) that permeates the substrate 110 and the amount of outside air that permeates the substrate 110 and dissolves in the ink can be reduced.
[0023]
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the flat plate-like long material 120. The plate-like long material 120 has a structure in which a welding layer 121, a reinforcing layer 122, a metal layer 123, and a protective layer 124 are laminated in this order from the side in contact with the substrate 110.
The welding layer 121 is a layer for joining the flat plate-like long material 120 to the base material 110 by welding. When the base material 110 includes polypropylene in addition to SEPS, the welding layer 121 is formed of polyethylene or polypropylene.
The reinforcing layer 122 is a layer for reinforcing the plate-like long member 120. The reinforcing layer 122 also has a function of improving the heat resistance of the flat plate-like long material 120. Specifically, the reinforcing layer 122 is made of polyamide.
The metal layer 123 is a layer for preventing a solvent (for example, water) included in the ink or outside air from passing through the flat plate-like long material 120, and is a metal layer such as an aluminum stay, for example. By providing the metal layer 123, the long plate member 120 has a function of preventing the solvent (for example, water) included in the ink from evaporating. In addition, the metal layer 123 has a function of preventing outside air from permeating the flat plate-like long material 120 and being absorbed into the ink.
The protective layer 124 is a layer for physically and thermally protecting the metal layer 123, and is formed of, for example, polyethylene terephthalate. Further, the protective layer 124 has a function of reinforcing the flat plate-like long material 120.
[0024]
Further, the liquid conducting material 100 is bent in a direction perpendicular to the one surface 110 a of the base 110. Here, the base material 110 has higher elasticity than the flat long material 120. For this reason, it is preferable that the liquid conduction | electrical_connection material 100 is bent in the direction where the base material 110 shrinks. In this case, the flat plate-like long material 120 is hardly peeled off from the base material 110. Further, the flat plate-like long material 120 is less likely to be cut.
In addition, in this embodiment, although the plate-shaped elongate material 120 and the base material 110 are mutually joined by welding, the joining structure other than welding, for example, the structure joined using an adhesive agent, may be sufficient.
[0025]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the liquid conducting material 100. The liquid conducting material 100 is bent so that one end 100a and the other end 100b face each other in the vicinity of the center in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, the liquid conducting material 100 is bent by 180 ° at a substantially 1/4 portion from the one end 100a and is bent by 180 ° at a substantially 1/4 portion from the other end 100b.
In this way, when the base material 110 is injection-molded, the flexible material that has flowed through the same flow path corresponds to the one end 100a, the other end 100b, and the vicinity of the central portion of the base material 110 of the mold. It is possible to pour into the part to be performed at the same time. Therefore, even when the liquid conducting material 100 is long, the substrate 110 can be injection molded.
[0026]
FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion corresponding to one end of the substrate 110, that is, one end 100 a of the liquid conducting material 100. FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion corresponding to the one end 100a of the substrate 110 as viewed from the surface opposite to FIG. Each of the groove portions 112 is stopped before one end of the base 110, and is connected to an opening 114 penetrating from there to another side surface, for example, a surface 110b opposite to the one surface 110a. The opening 114 is perforated in the thickness direction of the substrate 110 and connects the groove 112 to the outside.
The plurality of openings 114 are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 110. If it does in this way, the diameter of the opening 114 can be enlarged compared with the case where the opening 114 is arrange | positioned in parallel.
In the base 110, the structure of the portion corresponding to the other end 100b of the liquid conducting material 100 is the same as the structure of the portion corresponding to the one end 100a.
[0027]
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the liquid conducting material 100 with the connection member 200 attached thereto. The connecting member 200 is sandwiched and fixed to the liquid conducting material 100 by using a pressing ring 300. The connecting member 200 is a jig for connecting the liquid conducting material 100 and the carriage 42 or the recording head 44, and is formed using a material having higher rigidity than the liquid conducting material 100, for example, a plastic hard at room temperature. The holding ring 300 is formed using, for example, a hard plastic at normal temperature. When the connection member 200 is used while being fixed to the liquid conducting material 100, the liquid conducting material 100 is easily connected to the carriage 42 or the recording head 44.
[0028]
9 is a perspective view of the connection member 200, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the connection member 200 as viewed from the opposite direction to FIG. The connecting member 200 has a substantially rectangular planar shape. In addition, a plurality of conducting material connecting portions 210 that are fitted in the openings 114 of the liquid conducting material 100, a plurality of device connecting portions 220 that are fitted in the carriage 42, and a flow path that connects the conducting material connecting portion 210 and the device connecting portion 220. 230. The holding ring 300 sandwiches the conductive material connecting portion 210 inserted into the opening 114 in the direction of inserting into the opening 114.
[0029]
In the present embodiment, the plurality of conducting material connecting portions 210 are tubular members standing from the main body of the connecting member 200, and are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction along one end portion of the connecting member 200. . This arrangement corresponds to the arrangement of the apertures 114.
In the present embodiment, the device connecting portion 220 is a tubular member standing from the main body of the connecting member 200, and forms a set by being arranged in parallel with the short side every predetermined number. A ring-shaped sealing packing 222 is provided so as to surround the periphery of the set. Providing the sealing packing 222 reduces the possibility of ink leaking from the connecting portion between the conductive material connecting portion 210 and the recording head 44. The sealing packing 222 may not be provided.
In the present example, two device connection portions 220 are provided as a set. In this example, the conductive material connecting portion 210 and the device connecting portion 220 are provided on the same surface, but may be provided on different surfaces.
[0030]
11, 12, and 13 show modifications of the cross-sectional shape of the groove 112, respectively.
In FIG. 11, the cross-sectional shape of the groove 112 is a semicircle. In this case, ink becomes easy to flow.
In FIG. 12, a plurality of protrusions 111 and groove portions 112 are provided on both one surface 110a of the substrate 110 and the opposing surface 110b that is the surface opposite to the one surface 110a. The flat plate-like long material 120 is bonded to both the one surface 110a and the opposing surface 110b. In this way, the density of the groove 112 with respect to the width of the liquid conducting material 100 can be increased.
In FIG. 13, the cross-sectional shape of the groove 112 is a triangle. A plurality of protrusions 111 and groove portions 112 are provided on both the one surface 110a and the opposite surface 110b of the base 110. The flat plate-like long material 120 is affixed to both the one surface 110a and the opposing surface 110b. Here, the groove portions 112 provided on the one surface 110 a and the groove portions 112 provided on the facing surface 110 b are alternately arranged in the direction along the short side of the base material 110. If it does in this way, while the density of the groove part 112 with respect to the width | variety of the liquid conducting material 100 can be made high, the thickness of the liquid conducting material 100 can be made thin.
[0031]
14 and 15 are cross-sectional views showing other variations of the cross-sectional shape of the liquid conducting material 100, respectively. In this example, the base material 110 of the liquid conducting material 100 is warped in cross section at least in a portion to be bent. The direction of warping may be a direction in which a surface facing inward becomes concave when bent, or a direction in which a surface facing outward is concave. If it does in this way, as the side view of the liquid conduction | electrical_connection material 100 shown in FIG. 16, the liquid conduction | electrical_connection material 100 will not expand outside in the bent part B. FIG.
[0032]
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the base 110 used in the first modification of the liquid conducting material 100, and FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid conducting material 100 corresponding to the AA sectional view of FIG. is there. In this modification, the liquid conducting material 100 is provided with the protrusion 111 and the groove 112 on one surface 110a from the end on the 100a side to the middle, and from the middle to the end on the opposing surface 110b side. 111 and the groove part 112 are provided in the opposing surface 110b. Specifically, the end portion of the groove portion 112 provided on the one end 100a and the end portion of the groove portion 112 provided on the facing surface 110b overlap in a planar arrangement. And in the part which overlaps, the connection flow path 116 which connects the two groove parts 112 is provided.
If it does in this way, the direction of the opening 114 in the one end 100a can be made into the direction different from the direction of the opening 114 in the other end 100b.
[0033]
FIG. 19 is a part of a schematic plan view of the substrate 110 used in the second modification of the liquid conducting material 100. In this modification, the cross-sectional area of the groove portion 112 changes in the middle in the longitudinal direction of the base material 110. In order to change the cross-sectional area in the middle, the width of the groove 112 is changed in the middle in the figure, but the depth of the groove 112 may be changed in the middle. Other configurations are the same as those of the liquid conducting material 100 shown in FIGS. For this reason, the cross-sectional area of the groove portion 112 is reduced only for a portion that needs to pass through a narrow space to reduce the cross-section of the liquid conducting material 100, and the cross-sectional area of the groove portion 112 is increased for the other portions. be able to. In this case, the pressure loss of the ink caused by flowing through the groove 112 can be reduced.
In addition, the base material 110 having such a structure can be manufactured at low cost by injection molding.
[0034]
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the base 110 used in the third modified example of the liquid conducting material 100. In this modification, the base material 110 has a plurality of fixing protrusions 118 on the side surface. Other configurations are the same as those of the liquid conducting material 100 shown in FIGS. The fixing convex portion 118 is for fixing the liquid conducting material 100 inside the ink jet recording apparatus 10. Since the base material 110 is injection-molded, the position and shape of the fixing convex portion 118 can be arbitrarily set according to the shape and position of the fixing destination.
[0035]
FIG. 21 is a side view of a fourth modification of the liquid conducting material 100. In this modification, the thickness of the base material 110 in the portion that is not bent is greater than the thickness of the base material 110 in the portion that is bent. Other configurations are the same as those of the liquid conducting material 100 shown in FIGS.
If it does in this way, it will become difficult for the solvent of an ink to permeate | transmit the base material 110 and to evaporate. Further, the liquid conducting material 100 remains easy to bend. In this modification, one surface 110a, which is a surface having the groove 112, is flush, and the thickness of the substrate 110 is changed by making the opposing surface 110b side uneven.
[0036]
FIG. 22 is a side view of a fifth modification of the base material 110. In the present modification, the portion of the base material 110 that is not bent has the plate-like long material 120 on both the one surface 110a and the opposing surface 110b. Other configurations are the same as those of the liquid conducting material 100 shown in FIGS.
If it does in this way, even if the solvent of an ink permeate | transmits the base material 110, since it is interrupted | blocked by the flat plate-shaped elongate material 120, it becomes difficult to evaporate. Moreover, since the flat plate-shaped elongate material 120 is joined only to one surface 110a in the bent part, the flexibility of the liquid conducting material 100 is not impaired.
[0037]
As is clear from the above description, according to the liquid conducting material 100 of the present embodiment, it can be drawn compactly. Further, it is possible to reduce the load applied to the motor that drives the carriage when the carriage is driven.
As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. Various changes or improvements can be added to the above embodiment. It is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus 10 using a liquid conducting material 100. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the ink jet recording apparatus 10;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid conducting material 100
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a flat plate-like long material 120
5 is a perspective view of the liquid conducting material 100. FIG.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of an end of a substrate 110.
7 is an enlarged perspective view of the end of the base 110 viewed from the side opposite to FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a state in which the connection member 200 is attached to the liquid conducting material 100.
9 is a perspective view of a connecting member 200. FIG.
10 is a perspective view of the connecting member 200 as seen from the opposite direction to FIG. 9. FIG.
11 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the cross-sectional shape of the groove 112. FIG.
FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a modification of the sectional shape of the groove 112;
13 is a sectional view showing a modification of the sectional shape of the groove 112. FIG.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing another modification of the cross-sectional shape of the liquid conducting material 100
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing another modification of the cross-sectional shape of the liquid conducting material 100
16 is a side view of the liquid conducting material 100. FIG.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a substrate 110 used in the first modification.
18 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid conducting material 100 corresponding to the AA cross-sectional view of FIG.
FIG. 19 is a part of a schematic plan view of a base material 110 according to a second modification.
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a base material 110 according to a third modification.
21 is a side view of a fourth modification of the liquid conducting material 100. FIG.
FIG. 22 is a side view of a fifth modification of the substrate 110.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Inkjet recording apparatus, 42 ... Carriage, 44 ... Recording head, 45 ... Cartridge, 100 ... Liquid conducting material, 100a ... One end, 100b ... Other end, 110 ... Base material, 110a ... One side, 110b ... Opposite side, 111 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Projection, 112 ... Groove part, 114 ... Opening, 116 ... Connection flow path, 118 ... Fixing convex part, 120 ... Flat plate-like material, 121 ... Welding layer, 122 ... Reinforcement layer, 123 ... Metal layer, 124 ... Protective layer, 200 ... Connecting member, 210 ... Conducting material connecting part, 220 ... Device connecting part, 230 ... Flow path, 222 ... Sealing packing, 300 ... Pressing ring

Claims

Used in a liquid ejecting apparatus that performs recording or writing by ejecting liquid onto a recording material in a liquid ejecting area, and includes a liquid supply unit provided in the liquid ejecting apparatus body, and a liquid ejecting unit that ejects the liquid A liquid conducting material to be connected,
A long base material that is provided with a required number of protrusions along the longitudinal direction and spaced apart from each other, and formed of a flexible material;
A plate-like long material having flexibility to be bonded to the base material over the width direction of the base material while covering the end surface of the protrusion,
The base material has a substantially rectangular cross section,
The first ridge provided on a part of the surface constituting one long side of the rectangle;
A second protrusion that is provided on a part of the surface that forms the other long side of the rectangle and that overlaps only the first protrusion and one end in a planar arrangement;
A connecting flow path that connects an end of the flow path formed by the first protrusion and an end of the flow path formed by the second protrusion;
Liquid conducting material having a.

Used in a liquid ejecting apparatus that performs recording or writing by ejecting liquid onto a recording material in a liquid ejecting area, and includes a liquid supply unit provided in the liquid ejecting apparatus body, and a liquid ejecting unit that ejects the liquid A liquid conducting material to be connected,
A required number of grooves along the longitudinal direction are formed apart from each other and are formed of a flexible material, and an opening is formed at one end in the longitudinal direction of the groove along the thickness direction. A scale-shaped substrate;
A flat plate-like long material that covers the opening surface of the groove and is joined to the base material,
The base material has a substantially rectangular cross section,
The first groove provided in a part of the surface constituting one long side of the rectangle;
The second groove part provided on a part of the surface constituting the other long side of the rectangle, and the first groove part and only one end overlapping in a planar arrangement;
A connection channel that connects an end of the channel formed by the first groove and an end of the channel formed by the second groove;
Liquid conducting material having a.

The liquid conducting material according to claim 1, wherein the base material is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer.

The flexible material constituting the substrate includes polypropylene,
4. The liquid conducting material according to claim 3, wherein the material constituting the layer in contact with the base material includes polypropylene or polyethylene.

The liquid conducting material according to claim 4, wherein the long plate-like material has a metal layer on a layer in contact with the base material.

The liquid conducting material according to claim 5, wherein the metal layer is sandwiched between a nylon layer and a polyethylene terephthalate layer in the flat long material.

The liquid conducting material according to claim 5, wherein the base material further includes a second flat plate-like long material having a metal layer on at least a part of a surface not having the protrusion or the groove.

The liquid conducting material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquid conducting material can be bent in a direction perpendicular to a surface having the ridge or the groove.

The liquid conduction material according to claim 8, wherein the bending direction is a direction in which the higher elasticity of the base material and the flat plate-like long material shrinks.

The plate-like long material has a metal layer,
The liquid conduction material according to claim 9, wherein the bending direction is a direction in which the base material contracts.

The liquid conducting material has a portion that should be bent and a portion that cannot be bent,
The liquid conducting material according to claim 8, wherein the part that is not bent is thicker in a bending direction than the part that is to be bent.

The liquid conducting material is bendable,
The liquid conducting material according to claim 1, wherein the base material has a cross-sectional shape of at least a portion to be bent warped in a bending direction.

Furthermore, the liquid conduction | electrical_connection material of Claim 1 or 2 provided with the connection member whose rigidity is higher than the said base material which connects the flow path formed with the said protrusion or the said groove part, and the said liquid injection part.

By changing the shape of the ridge or the groove part in the middle of the longitudinal direction of the substrate, the cross-sectional area of the flow path formed by the ridge or the groove is changed in the middle of the longitudinal direction of the substrate. The liquid conduction | electrical_connection material of Claim 1 or 2 which has changed.

Used in a liquid ejecting apparatus that performs recording or writing by ejecting liquid onto a recording material in a liquid ejecting area, and connects a liquid supply unit provided in the liquid ejecting apparatus body and a liquid ejecting part that ejects the liquid A method for producing a liquid conducting material that comprises:
By pouring a thermoplastic elastomer into the mold, a long base material provided with a required number of protrusions spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction is injection molded,
The base material has a substantially rectangular cross section,
The first ridge provided on a part of the surface constituting one long side of the rectangle;
A second protrusion that is provided on a part of the surface that forms the other long side of the rectangle and that overlaps only the first protrusion and one end in a planar arrangement;
A connecting flow path that connects an end of the flow path formed by the first protrusion and an end of the flow path formed by the second protrusion;
With
The liquid conducting material is manufactured by joining a flat plate-like long material having flexibility to the base material over the width direction of the base material while covering an end surface of the protrusion. Production method.

Used in a liquid ejecting apparatus that performs recording or writing by ejecting liquid onto a recording material in a liquid ejecting area, and connects a liquid supply unit provided in the liquid ejecting apparatus body and a liquid ejecting part that ejects the liquid A method for producing a liquid conducting material that comprises:
A thermoplastic elastomer is poured into the mold to form a required number of grooves along the longitudinal direction, and an opening is formed at one end in the longitudinal direction of the groove along the thickness direction. Injection molding a long base material,
The base material has a substantially rectangular cross section,
The first groove provided in a part of the surface constituting one long side of the rectangle;
The second groove part provided on a part of the surface constituting the other long side of the rectangle, and the first groove part and only one end overlapping in a planar arrangement;
A connection channel that connects an end of the channel formed by the first groove and an end of the channel formed by the second groove;
With
A method for producing a liquid conducting material, wherein the liquid conducting material is produced by joining a flat plate-like long material having flexibility so as to cover the opening surface of the groove.

The mold is formed such that both ends of the base material are opposed to each other in the vicinity of the center in the longitudinal direction of the base material,
The method for producing a liquid conduction material according to claim 15 or 16 , wherein the flexible material is poured into the mold at portions corresponding to the both ends and the vicinity of the central portion of the base material.

A liquid ejecting apparatus that performs recording or writing by ejecting liquid onto a recording material in a liquid ejecting area,
A liquid supply unit provided in the liquid ejecting apparatus body;
A liquid ejecting section that ejects the liquid onto the recording object;
A liquid conducting material that connects the liquid supply unit and the liquid ejection unit;
The liquid conducting material is
A long base made of a flexible material provided with a required number of protrusions along the longitudinal direction and spaced apart from each other;
A plate-like long material having flexibility to be bonded to the base material over the width direction of the base material while covering the end surface of the ridge,
The base material has a substantially rectangular cross section,
The first ridge provided on a part of the surface constituting one long side of the rectangle;
A second protrusion that is provided on a part of the surface that forms the other long side of the rectangle and that overlaps only the first protrusion and one end in a planar arrangement;
A connecting flow path that connects an end of the flow path formed by the first protrusion and an end of the flow path formed by the second protrusion;
Ru comprising a liquid ejecting apparatus.

A liquid ejecting apparatus that performs recording or writing by ejecting liquid onto a recording material in a liquid ejecting area,
A liquid supply unit provided in the liquid ejecting apparatus body;
A liquid ejecting section that ejects the liquid onto the recording object;
A liquid conducting material that connects the liquid supply unit and the liquid ejection unit;
The liquid conducting material is
A required number of grooves along the longitudinal direction are formed apart from each other and are formed of a flexible material, and an opening is formed at one end in the longitudinal direction of the groove along the thickness direction. A scale-shaped substrate;
A flat plate-like long material that covers the opening surface of the groove and has a flexibility to be joined to the base material,
The base material has a substantially rectangular cross section,
The first groove provided in a part of the surface constituting one long side of the rectangle;
The second groove part provided on a part of the surface constituting the other long side of the rectangle, and the first groove part and only one end overlapping in a planar arrangement;
A connection channel that connects an end of the channel formed by the first groove and an end of the channel formed by the second groove;
Ru comprising a liquid ejecting apparatus.

The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the base material of the liquid conducting material is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer.